The third studio release from southern California rockers Young The Giant takes the band’s sound in an unexpected new direction. In some ways, it’s as though they’ve lost the playfulness, optimism and naivety that was so striking in their first release, Young The Giant, and gained a more cynical, serious edge.
Amerika opens the album and will grab your attention with its strange mix of contemporary hip hop and rock influences. This theme continues with Something To Believe In, one of the biggest tracks on the album with belting, defiant vocals.
But this soon drops off as many of the tracks like Elsewhere and Silvertongue blend into eachother with a very similar, generic, rock feel. There is nothing to define any of these songs, leaving them feeling oddly formulaic. Lead singer Sameer Gadhia’s usually distinctive vocals feel subdued, and limited by the compositions – there’s no space for him to really show off his vocal chops.
The album is strongest in tracks like Titus Was Born and Art Exhibit, where the band offers us some powerfully employed storytelling techniques like soundscapes and descriptive lyrics to create vivid imagery.
Overall this release is lacking the flair and creativity of past releases, feeling mature but restrained. For fans of their work, this is a disappointment.
BY ERIN ROONEY
